Ms. Marvel (2015) #13

Previously in Ms. Marvel #12

Ms. Marvel #13 - “Election Day” | Writer: G. Willow Wilson | Artist: Mirka Adolpho | Color Artist: Ian Herring | Lettering: VC’s Joe Caramagna | Cover Artists: Joelle Jones & Rachelle Rosenberg

“Election Day” had everything I love about this series: Kamala using her super brain and not just her superpowers to bring about positive change; a reminder of Zoe’s feelings for Nakia; a painful reminder that Bruno is gone as we watch Mike mourn his absence; and a bit of Kamala’s family for good measure.

When Tyesha’s (Kamala’s sister-in-law) little brother, Gabe, transfers to Kamala’s school thanks to rezoning, Ms. Marvel pays the mayor a visit and discovers Hydra is behind gerrymandering the districts to help put their own candidate for mayor, Chuck Worthy, in office. Kamala wasn’t going to let Doctor Faustus gentrify the hell out of her neighborhood and she’s not about to let him steal an election.

With some thorough research and the help of her friends, Ms. Marvel rallies the voters, shuts down every excuse people have for not voting, and dismantles voter suppression to boot. All of this leads to a surprise win for a truly worthy candidate.

Though she did have to embiggen on a few fools trying to stop the citizens from voting, Kamala did most of the heavy lifting by being smart. She also employed the use of her friends and it’s always nice when the community is the focus of the story. I also loved the expanded family and getting to meet Tyesha’s brother. Gabe is smart and funny, and I hope he agrees to stick around his new school. The nicest surprise was Wilson briefly revisiting Zoe’s romantic feelings for Nakia. It was fleeting (Kamala thinks to herself how weird it is that Zoe’s always staring at Nakia), but appreciated. I’m looking forward to this storyline getting more attention.

Our own recent election was disappointing as hell, so it was nice to have this electoral happy ending - even if it was fictional.